9 Things To Keep In Mind To Build Your Backyard Pond
1. Anatomy of a Backyard Pond
You need to understand the basic overall system of all the parts that are required to setup your own aqua body. You will require a water agitator, a filter, a liner, underlayment, a good pump, proper piping and most importantly rocks, gravels, plants and fish to beautify your backyard pond.
2. Costs & Maintaince
Backyard Ponds and fountain kits vary from $100 to about $5,000 to be installed by a Pro to even $50,000+ for grandiose displays that can cover the area of an entire house.
3. Type of Backyard Pond
Backyard Ponds can be of many types, mainly they fall into these categories :-
- Natural – free flowing no fixed boundaries
- Seminatural – having some shape and form (what Hydrozen Waterscape specialises in)
- Formal – riged, geometic and symmetrical water body
4. Placement
The location of your pond depends on a few factors and also determines many things that will in turn happen to the pond aquatic life.
Factors you should keep in mind :-
- Sun (for a healthy ecosystem and to discourage algae)
- Trees for shade
- How near or far from your house/windows
5. Materials
To build your backyard pond you will require the following :- **measurements will according to size**
- Liner
- Synthetic rubber
- Plastic – Pond Line
6. Equipment
This where things can get a bit complicated as you will need to know the electrical requirements, water amounts and pump capacity.
Items :-
- Water Pump
- Water Filter
- Water Agitator
There are many types and variations depending on the circumstances for each of the above parts.
Various companies provide each part ranging from a $50 to $5,000.
**Always check on warranty and guarantee and what all comes under the terms and conditions.
7. Pond Plants
Here are some options for pond plants that you can consider :-
- Petunia
- Rose
- Iris
- Lotus
- Water Hyacinth
- Cattail
See the best seasons for the plants according to your soil type and geographical location in the United States.
8. Pond Fish
Fishes breathe life into a backyard pond and make it more fun and pleasing to the eye.
The two best options are :-
- Koi
- Goldfish
8. Miscellaneous
Factors you should keep in mind :-
- Some zones may require you to build a fence around the pond
- You need to refill the pond with fresh water regularly through a hose or piping
- Use the dugout mud wisely to add to the beauty of the backyard pond and plants
- Make sure the outlet to power the pump has proper backup and cable
9. DIY Or Hire A Pro?
Well, for smaller water features like fountains it is possible to install them with a DIY Kit but for elaborate and beautiful installations such as backyard ponds that can last for the long run (a properly installed pond can sustain even for over 20 years), you should consider hiring a pro like us – Hydrozen Waterscapes creates beautiful water features in Delaware & Maryland.
